Gentle Shepherd Blog
Our team at Gentle Shepherd Hospice wants you to have the practical information you need to make the most of every day. Check out these helpful articles and devotionals written by Kim Eckenroth our co-founder and VP of patient care.
Lessons from theater improv
While there is no denying the hardships of Alzheimer's and other dementias, a growing number of families are exploring innovative strategies for including lightness and laughter on the journey. One option is to steal a page from the theater arts—specifically,...
Alternatives to traditional burials
Talking with an aging loved one about their wishes for their body after they die may feel uncomfortable, awkward, or even taboo. Yet avoiding the topic doesn't change the fact that at some point a choice will have to be made. Discussing the options now is important....
Making your home safe for older guests
As the holidays near, it's not too soon to check your home for hazards to visitors. Older adults often have impaired balance and vision. This makes them prone to trips and falls, especially in new surroundings. And fragile skin and bones can mean double trouble if...
Does my relative have “capacity”?
If your older loved one is showing signs of cognitive decline, it may be time to find out whether they still have "capacity." This medical term refers to their ability to make decisions while weighing the consequences. It means your relative can understand an issue,...
What is a daily money manager?
A financial advisor manages investments. A daily money manager (DMM) is someone who comes to the home once or twice a month to handle the mundane aspects of personal finances: Paying monthly bills (but your loved one signs the checks). Balancing the checkbook....
Honoring a loved one who has died
Have you lost a loved one this past year? Or perhaps years have gone by, but grief is still poignant. As you reflect on a relative who has passed on, you might consider new ways to honor them. Ritual is a helpful way to transform a lifetime bond so that your...
Reversible or pseudodementia
Is your loved one forgetting appointments? Repeating stories? Struggling with tasks that once seemed easy? It's natural that you fear dementia. But don't assume the worst. Many factors affect brain function. Your relative's condition may not be permanent. Some causes...
Visiting the doctor after a fall
A surprising number of conditions, from simple to serious, can contribute to an older adult falling. If you observed the fall or arrived soon after, find out if your loved one had a warning or felt dizzy beforehand. Any chance they fainted? Was the fall from stumbling...
The habit of happiness
Happiness is in our nature. We are born with the ability to be happy. And then life happens. Our life experiences affect our attitude about happiness. They influence how much we believe we deserve happiness or convince us we don't deserve it. Especially in stressful...
Who needs a pacemaker?
The signs of needing a pacemaker can be easy to miss at first. You might notice fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, or confusion in your loved one. Or hear them commenting, "I just don't feel right anymore." If a slow heart rate (bradycardia) is determined to be...
When reasoning becomes a concern
When an aging loved one starts making what you consider poor decisions, it's worrisome. Are they no longer thinking straight? Is this normal aging or something more serious? There are two terms to know when concerns arise about cognition: capacity and competence....
Options for taking a break from caregiving
If you're providing care for your loved one, you may long for a night to call your own. Better yet, a few days and nights of R&R. Go to bed when you're ready, sleep deeply, and do what you want all day! A respite break isn't indulgent, it's smart. You need...